My Covidy Husband - does this sound familiar?

[AngelicaElizaAndPeggy]

Hello everyone,
My DH was tested last Thursday after losing taste and smell. He was shattered the week prior to this and spent all of the previous weekend in his bed.
He is still utterly exhausted, his skin is quite pallid and he has a weird smell. No coughing or wheezing yet. Does this sound familiar to others' experiences? He's 36, fit and well usually.

It's strange being around him and thinking that this could hit me at any moment. I am a bit congested but feel fine, no symptoms that match.

Not sure what I can do about the exhaustion? I guess it's just his body being busy and fighting the virus. I just hope he doesn't worsen.

DS had it really early on, we were sent to hospital for chest xrays and a Dr asked if grey was his usual colour.

I was exhausted for a good fortnight. One day I sat on the dog bed in front of a sunny patio door, laid down and didn't move for 6 hours.

Heavens, that sounds extreme. I hope you are both fighting fit again now. It is worrying how long people's symptoms seem to be lasting.

My husband sounds the same colour as your son- sort of yellowy grey.

What does he smell like?

Do you mean his smell is returning and things smell strange or that he has a strange smell on/from him that others can smell?

All sounds quite typical OP. Just keep a really close eye on his breathing (ideally blood o2) and encourage rest and drinking plenty. This virus can make you feel horrendous for 2/3 weeks even as a mild case.

@Porcupineinwaiting - seconded. When doctors call something 'mild' they just mean you don't require hospital treatment. I felt a bodily exhaustion like nothing I'd experienced before (including childbirth and emergency surgery/ICU!) and generally felt shit for 3 weeks, didn't feel substantially recovered until 6 weeks had passed and my lungs felt a bit 'bashed' on for several months afterwards (mainly last thing at night for some reason). OP, I hope your DH gets on the mend really soon

@quiteathome he smells a bit like halitosis but sweeter, but it's his skin and not his breath.
It's not very nice tbh! But our dog will.not.leave.him.alone- I'm sure she can smell it too and thinks she needs to protect him!

He's been asleep all afternoon which seems to have revived him a bit, but he's no different really.

has he eaten? I have it in my head that people who go onto diabetic ketoacidosis smell of pear drops. I don't know if it is in their breath though or skin. Might be worth finding out, covid is such a strange illness it could possibly affect pancreas.

Obviously I don't want to worry you. It just sounds very odd

Might be worth a 111 call, just in case. And get him to have something sugary.

i think diabeties is a breath thing rather than skin. However it sounds odd.

Ketones can be smelled through the skin and breath. If he's not eating much it could be that.

But if he's seeing lots and thirsty as well as smelly important to check with a doctor.

Weeing lots

Thanks so much for all the advice - I've heard of ketones smelling sweet before but never thought of that! I can't smell it on him today and he's had a bit of a torrid night- lots of weird fever dreams and feeling cold. He was in our attic bedroom though, which is really cold anyway! If it comes back today I will ring and ask.
He's not really wee-ing any more than normal and is still eating quite well.

I'm just sitting in my cold Yorkshire garden trying to stock up on vit d- I am waiting for the virus to check in with me next, it's a horrible feeling!